It has been a year of contrasts for Fort McMurray’s labour movement, with one side buoyed by a construction boom following the May 2016 wildfire and another side worrying about oil prices, layoffs and mental health.

But as Labour Day approaches, labour movements in the region say they hope the next 12 months will see some economic growth and stability for workers.

“The biggest hits in growth have been in the oilsands. We’ve seen smaller companies sell their assets because there’s no viability than bigger companies take over. We’ve seen layoffs continuing,” said Steve Kelly, secretary-treasurer of Unifor 707A and president of the Wood Buffalo & District Labour Council. "But in general, I don’t want to say things are up or down for our members right now because we're hoping to see some sustainability."

In the oil industry, thousands of workers have continued to be laid off or replaced.

“It’s going to take some time to rebuild that relationship again,” said Marle Roberts, president of CUPE Alberta, on Thursday.

In May, Suncor Energy signed an agreement that made Dene Koe Workforce Lodging - a company co-owned by Noralta Lodge and the Fort McKay First Nation - the exclusive lodge provider for the company’s housing facilities north of Fort McMurray.

Kelly says Unifor's Suncor members have been lucky enough to avoid layoffs. However, concerns about workplace mental health - which was already a concern for employers and unions as workers dealt with fears of job losses, lost hours and reduced pay - has increased as many workers now deal with the stress of rebuilding homes lost in the May 2016 wildfire.

“When times get tough, it’s tough for everybody. There are stresses and pressures across all of our aspects of life and one of those areas is work,” said Kelly. “Added pressures of things like making sure costs are down trickle down to workers. It complicates the delicate balance of being productive and being safe.”

“I had ads on Kijiji for a month and had only one response. Before I got hundreds of responses from people looking for work,” said Keith Plowman, vice-president of the Fort McMurray Construction Association and owner of K. Plowman Contracting.

Data shows just how busy construction has been in Fort McMurray. As of June 2017, there have been 785 housing starts within Wood Buffalo since the start of the year. According to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the number of starts on new housing projects is double the last two years combined. The municipality predicts another 200 housing starts will happen by the end of 2017.

However, there is a fear the good times for construction are temporary. Already, Plowman says four smaller companies that are part of the construction association have closed, unable to find workers, compete with larger groups and keep up with demand. That number may grow once infrastructure and housing rebuilds are complete.

“It’s going to be good for the next year or two, but if oil doesn’t pick up or we don’t see another boom in the economy, a lot of people are in trouble,” said Plowman. “People are working and keeping optimistic, which is good. But the feeling out there is something needs to happen before this mini-boom is over.”